(1)(a) Beginning with or before the 2020-21 school year, each school district that operates a high school must provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone course in civics for each high school student. Except as provided by (c) of this subsection, civics content and instruction embedded in other social studies courses do not satisfy the requirements of this subsection. (b) Credit awarded to students who complete the civics course must be applied to course credit requirements in social studies that are required for high school graduation. (c) Civics content and instruction required by this section may be embedded in social studies courses that offer students the opportunity to earn both high school and postsecondary credit. (2) The content of the civics course must include, but is not limited to: (a) Federal, state, tribal, and local government organization and procedures; (b) Rights and responsibilities of citizens addressed in the Washington state and United States Constitutions; (c) Current issues addressed at each level of government; (d) Electoral issues, including elections, ballot measures, initiatives, and referenda; (e) The study and completion of the civics component of the federally administered naturalization test required of persons seeking to become naturalized United States citizens; and (f) The importance in a free society of living the basic values and character traits specified in RCW 28A.150.211. (3) By September 1, 2020, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with the Washington state association of county auditors and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization engaged in voter outreach and increasing voter participation, shall identify and make available civics materials and resources for use in courses under this section. The materials and resources must be posted on the office of the superintendent of public instruction's website. [ 2020 c 208 s 9; 2018 c 127 s 2.]
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